(07-23-2012 08:35 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote: (07-23-2012 07:56 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote: The problem was Joe Pa and the administration covered up and didn't act on information back in the 90s, because they feared if it got out it would reflect badly on the institution. Well ultimately, this kind of thing always gets out and it is always worse when it comes out later rather than sooner. Had they gone public back then they would be hailed as heroes today. But they were shortsighted in their pursuit of football winning. The long term effects, i.e., the civil lawsuits they'll face, will be much more damaging than anything the NCAA meets out.
I've always respected Penn State more than any of the other football "factories" and now that trust is lost. There was always the sense that they did it the right way. And from a football perspective I don't think that view has really changed. But from a human point of view, their actions have destroyed many young men's lives. And I hope they pay a huge price from a civil standpoint. I am on the fence as far as "death penalty" goes. From a football persepective they did not commit viloations. They didn't acquire an unfair advantage in the pursuit of recruits. They just turned a blind eye to the most important aspect of our society - they let down our children! They were the ones who should have stood up and protected and fought for our children. What penalty can ever correct that?
On the other side. I think Sandusky should be hung upside down by his balls. I think they should insert a glass rod up his shank and shatter it. The man should be fed human excrement for the rest of his life. And he should be set out into the general prison population so he gets to experience first hand what he did to so many young boys.
I agree with everything in the first and final paragraph. As for the bolded portion, I continue seeing this argument and I scratch my head. Sandusky was the DC and LB coach until 1999 (at a school known as LB U). The advantage for PSU is clearly not being affiliated with a pederast, even though they were. For every year they helped cover this up, it delayed recruits and their parents seeing PSU differently (as you pointed out, they were a football factory that appeared to do things the right way). Once that news was unveiled, it changed the perception of the entire program. And while the news and backlash would have been different in the 90s/early 00s, it still would have negatively affected how everyone saw Happy Valley.
You should scratch your head. That "bolded" statement is, at least partially, incorrect with respect to fact. There were violations committed, as specified below.
Mark Emmert (NCAA President) clearly stated that the NCAA had the authority to levy sanctions, based on codified NCAA bylaws and it's Constitution. He clearly stated that Penn State violations fell under various bylaws.
In fact, Emmert was clear as to why they did NOT impose the Death Penality and it was NOT statutory. It was about other programs like the band, and already scheduled opoponents.
Again I point to the NCAA constitution:
Article 6.1 of the NCAA Constitution (institutional control).
and the bylaws
Article 10 of NCAA Division 1 manual:
“individuals employed by a member institution to administer, conduct or coach intercollegiate athletics shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times.”
Additionally Rule 10.1(d):
“Unethical conduct may include, but is not limited to
(d) knowingly furnishing or knowingly influencing others to furnish the NCAA or the individual’s institution false or misleading information concerning an individual’s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation.”
There are at least two stautory elements that allow the NCAA to impose whatever they feel necessary and appropriate, based on the specific Penn State situation.
Having said all of this, I am concerned about the precedent set in using the Freeh report in lieu of their own investigative and reporting process.
I think this is potentially very dangerous.